Friday, September 1, 2017

John Ashbery / Just Walking Around

What name do I have for you?Certainly there is not name for youIn the sense that the stars have namesThat somehow fit them. Just walking around, An object of curiosity to some, But you are too preoccupiedBy the secret smudge in the back of your soulTo say much and wander around, Smiling to yourself and others.It gets to be kind of lonelyBut at the same time off-putting.Counterproductive, as you realize once againThat the longest way is the most efficient way, The one that looped among islands, andYou always seemed to be traveling in a circle.And now that the end is nearThe segments of the trip swing open like an orange.There is light in there and mystery and food.Come see it.Come not for me but it.But if I am still there, grant that we may see each other